FAMILIES are being plagued by swarms of houseflies whose numbers have risen dramatically in the hot weather.

The fly invasion is making life a misery for residents, particularly in rural villages Betley, Wrinehill and Madeley, and as far north as Balterley and Wybunbury..

They have been forced to keep windows closed in stifling temperatures and have bought swatters, sprays, and papers.

Betley resident Cllr David Becket, of Ladygates, says the problem has become so bad the bugs crawling over plates and bowls have been flying out of his dishwasher.

He said: 'The are obviously going in there on the dirty plates and surviving the wash. I'm worried about hygiene.

'When I am in the kitchen I am continually working with a swarm of flies around my head and I spend most of the day with a swatter in my hand.

'We can't open the windows until it gets dark and it takes half an hour to clear the bedroom at night. In one evening I killed 200.'

The problem, which began last week and shows no sign of abating, is believed to have originated from a poultry business in Wrine-hill owned by the E W H Moore Partnership.

The farm, which produces chickens and eggs, has been unable to use powerful pesticides banned earlier this year by an EU directive.

Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council environmental health officer Paul Eeles said the problem has been made worse by recordbreaking temperatures which have dramatically increased the lifecycle of the flies.

He said: 'In simple terms we get an increase of flies in the summer months on any premises where there are livestock, poultry or manure disposal.

'The poultry business is in no way to blame. The pesticide products they have used to good effect in the past have since been withdrawn and the products they have been trying to use, in vast amounts, simply aren't doing the job.'

Environmental health officers have now joined forces with a team from Newcastle Borough Council to get on top of the problem, and are visiting the farm on a daily basis.

Mr Eeles said: 'The farm is failing to break the life cycle and the flies are winning. Now to help them gain control we are implementing chemical and biological methods that are available.'

Paul Moore, who helps run the egg farm, said: 'We are doing whatever we can and whatever is being suggested to fight the flies, all under the guidance of environmental health officials.'